The National Archives Education Service

All Pals Together: A First World War Soldier’s Story

Preparation materials for videoconference/virtual classroom (KS3) Contents

Teacher’s notes .................................................................................................................. 3

Document 1: WO 363/ F 22 (pg340) .............................................................................. 6 Short Service Attestation Form for Private Henry Fairhurst of the 14th Yorkshire and Lancashire Battalion (Barnsley Pals) Transcript 1 ...................................................................................................................... 7

Document 2: WO 363/ F22 (pg 341) ............................................................................. 10 Descriptive Report on Enlistment Transcript 2 ...................................................................................................................... 11

Document 3: WO 363/ F22 (pg 342) ............................................................................. 14 Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity Transcript 3 ...................................................................................................................... 15

Document 4: WO 363/ F22 (pg 343) ............................................................................. 17 Casualty Form-Active Service, part 1 Transcript 4 ...................................................................................................................... 18

Document 5: WO 363/ F22 (pg 344) ............................................................................. 20 Casualty Form-Active Service, part 2 Transcript 5 ...................................................................................................................... 21 Teacher’s notes

This pack of documents and transcripts will allow you to prepare your students for the videoconference / virtual classroom session. It is vital that all students complete the preparatory work beforehand, so that they are fully prepared for the session.

Background information

Based on the original War Office files of Private Henry Fairhurst, this actor led workshop will give students an opportunity to examine a soldier’s life in the trenches during the Great War.

Teacher preparation

The content of the workshop will consist entirely of Henry talking about his experiences in the trenches, prompted and led by students’ questions. Students should be seen clearly on screen and have good access to a microphone.

During the videoconference workshop, students will be encouraged to ask Henry questions about any aspect of his life during active service. They will be able to draw on Henry’s experiences and examine whether their conclusions about life in the trenches support or contradict those of Henry.

To prepare the students for the session students should read the attached WO 363/ F 22 documents from Henry’s original file. These will give the students the opportunity to discover a little bit about Henry. These sources should be studied prior to using documents from the Education website’s online exhibition on the Great War.

The link below will take you to the Education website page on the Great War:

nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/

Different groups of students should study a particular case or theme and research it in order to create their questions. Here are some suggestions to help get students started:

**Gallery 1: The Great War: conflict and controversy**

**Case Study 1: Changing views on the Great War**

**Source 1: Mother’s Poem, 1918**

nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g1/cs1/g1cs1s1.htm

- Ask Henry what his family think about him joining up. What does his mother think? Does he miss his family and home?
- What job did he do before he joined up? Teacher’s notes continued

Gallery 2: Why did Britain go to war in 1914?

Case Study 3: Did public opinion drag Britain into war?

Source 2: Diary of a factory worker nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g2/cs3/g2cs3s2.htm

Source 5: Recruitment Poster nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g2/cs3/g2cs3s5a.htm

• Question Henry on his reasons for joining up. • What was the recruitment process like? • Does he think that joining up was the right thing to do? • How have his experiences in the trenches influenced his opinion of the war?

Gallery 3: The Trench Experience

Case Study 1: Weapons and Warfare

Source 9: British Soldier in full kit nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g3/cs1/g3cs1s9.htm

• Ask Henry to describe the different parts of his kit and explain what each item is used for. • How does it feel to carry all this kit? • How does he keep it clean and in good working order? • What does he think about weapons and warfare?

Case Study 2: The daily grind

Source 1: Film of soldiers digging trenches nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g3/cs4/g3cs4s1.htm

• What duties does Henry have to carry out in the trenches each day? • What is a “typical” day like? • What does he do if he gets time off? Teacher’s notes continued

Source 4: Postcard sent home nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g3/cs4/g3cs4s4a.htm

• Does Henry write letters home to his family? What does he write about?

Source 7: Mealtime in the trenches nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g3/cs4/g3cs4s7a.htm

• Ask Henry about what he is given to eat and drink every day. How did this compare to what he usually ate and drank back at home?

• Does he get any extra treats from home? Are there ways he can earn extra rations?

Gallery 4: Lions led by donkeys

Case Study 3: The Somme, 1916

Source 7: British film, ‘The Battle of the Somme’ nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g4/cs3/g4cs3s7.htm

• Ask Henry about his experiences of going over the top. How does he prepare for it? What emotions does he have as he goes over?

• What are his relationships like with his battalion friends at this time?

• What is his opinion of the generals? Is he an optimist or a pessimist?

Additional Preparation (optional)

Organise the students into their groups to write a letter to Henry explaining their views on the war based on their research. They can also write down the questions they wish to ask him.

During the videoconference, Henry can refer to these letters and questions. He can address his comments to the group concerned, also inviting additional questions from that group.

If you would like to do this please send your letters to the Education Service, National Archives, Ruskin Avenue, Kew, Surrey, TW9 4DU at least two weeks before your workshop and provide us with a covering sheet with your name, school, and the date and time of your workshop.

Please retain a copy of your letters and questions for students to refer to during the session. Short Service Attestation Form for Private Henry Fairhurst of the 14th Yorkshire and Lancashire Battalion (Barnsley Pals) 14th S. Bn. (2nd Barnsley) Transcript 1:

Short Service Attestation Form for Private Henry Fairhurst of the 14th Yorkshire and Lancashire Battalion (Barnsley Pals) 14th S. Bn. (2nd Barnsley).

York and Lancaster Regiment

Army Form B 2505

SHORT SERVICE (For the Duration of the War)

ATTESTATION OF

Barnsley No. 723 Name Fairhurst Henry Corps Y&L

Questions to be put to the recruit before enlistment

01. What is your Name? 1. Henry Fairhurst
02. What is your full Address? 2. 6 Sunderland Terrace, Barnsley
03. Are you a British Subject? 3. Yes
04. What is your Age? 4. 29 years 20 days
05. What is your Trade or Calling? 5. Miner
06. Are you Married? 6. No
07. Have you ever served in any branch of his Majesty's forces, if so\*, which? 7. No
08. Are you willing to be vaccinated, or revaccinated? 8. Yes
09. Are you willing to be enlisted for General Service 9. Yes
10. Did you receive a Notice, and do you understand its meaning and who gave it to you? 10. No
11. Are you willing to serve upon the following conditions provided his Majesty should so long require your services? 11. Yes For the duration of the war, at the end of which you will be discharged with all convenient speed. If employed with Hospitals, depots of Mounted Units, and as Clerks etc., you may be retained after the termination of hostilities until your services can be spared, but such retention shall in no case exceed six months.

I, Henry Fairhurst, do solemnly declare that the above answers to the above questions are true, and that I am willing to fulfil the engagements made.

Henry Fairhurst Signature of Recruit Albert Turner Signature of Witness

OATH TO BE TAKEN BY RECRUIT ON ATTESTATION

I, Henry Fairhurst, swear by Almighty God, that I will be faithful and bear true Allegiance to His Majesty King George the Fifth, His Heirs and Successors, and that I will, as in duty bound, honestly and faithfully defend His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, in Person, Crown and dignity against all enemies and will observe and obey all orders of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, and of the Generals and Officers set over me. So help me God.

CERTIFICATE OF MAGISTRATE OR ATTESTING OFFICER

The Recruit above named was cautioned by me that if he made false answer to any of the above questions he be liable to be punished as provided in the Army Act.

The above questions were then read to the Recruit in my presence.

I have taken care that he understands each question, and that his answer to each question has been duly entered as replied to, and the said Recruit has made and signed the declaration and taken the oath before me at Barnsley on this 1st day of March, 1915

Signature of the Justice M Lancaster JP Certificate of Approving Officer

I certify that this Attestation of the above-named Recruit is correct, and properly filled up, and that the required forms appear to have been complied with. I accordingly approve and appoint him to the 14 S. Bn. (2nd Barnsley) Yorks and Lancaster Regt.

If enlisted by special authority, Army Form B. 203 (or other authority for the enlistment) will be attached to the original attestation

Date 5 March 1915

Place Barnsley

W. E. Raley, Acting Lt. Colonel - Approving Officer Commanding 14th S. Bn. (2nd Barnsley) York and Lancaster Regt.

1. The signature of the Approving Officer is to be affixed in the presence of the Recruit.
2. Here insert the “Corps” for which the Recruit has been enlisted.

\*If so, the Recruit is to be asked the particulars of his former service, and to produce, if possible, his Certificate of Discharge and Certificate of Character, which should be returned to him conspicuously endorsed in red ink, as follows, viz. (Name) \_\_ re-enlisted in the (Regiment) \_\_ on the (Date) \_\_ Descriptive Report on Enlistment

[Image of a document showing a descriptive report on enlistment details, including name, age, height, chest measurement, and service information.] Transcript 2:

Religion C of E

DESCRIPTIVE REPORT ON ENLISTMENT (To correspond with Entries on the Medical History Sheet.) Applicable to all ranks

Name Henry Fairhurst

Apparent age 29 years 20 days Height 5 feet 7 ¾ inches

Chest measurement Girth when fully expanded 35 ½ inches

Range of expansion 3 inches

Distinctive marks Nil

INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY RECRUIT

Name and address of next of kin Joseph Fairhurst, 6 Sunderland Terrace, Barnsley Relationship Father

Particulars as to Marriage

(a) Christian and Surname of Woman to whom married, and whether spinster or widow. (b) Place and date of marriage (c) present address (d) Initials of Officer verifying entry.

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Particulars as to Children

Christian Name Date and Place of Birth

### STATEMENT OF THE SERVICES

| Corps in which served | Regt or depot | Promotions, reductions, Casualties &c | Army Rank | Dates | Service not allowed to reckon for fixing the date of Pension | Service in reserve not allowed to reckon towards G.C. pay | Signature of Officers verifying correctness of entries | |-----------------------|---------------|--------------------------------------|-----------|-------|----------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | Attested | Private | 1/3/1915 | | | | J N Thomas Capt | | 14th | Mediterranean | Pte | 28.12.1915| | | | J N Thomas Capt | | 14th | France | Pte | 10.3.1916 | | | | J N Thomas Capt | | Royal 328th | Transferred | | | | | | | | Engineers | (Quarrying) | Pte | 5.5.1917 | | | | N Savings | | BEF | | | | | | | | | 328 | | | | | | | | | R.E. | Q. Cog | Posted | Sapper | 6.5.1617| | | WS Hill Major | | | | | | | | | For OiC R.E Records | Transcript 2: continued

Transferred to Class "Z" Army

Reserve on Demobilization

Date 23-1-1919

Signature [illegible]

For Officer i/c Records RETB

Place London

Home address 6 Sunderland Terrace, Barnsley, Yorkshire

Service towards engagement to Date of discharge years days Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity

**PROTECTION CERTIFICATE AND CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY**

(SOLDIER NOT REMAINING WITH THE COLOURS)

Dispersal Unit Stamp and date of dispersal.

Surname: FAIRHURST

Christian Names: Harry

Regt. No.: 30118

Rank: R.8 (T.13)

Unit: 326 Quarry

Regt. or Corps: R.8 (T.13)

Record Office: 19th Tario Oct. 2nd

Pay Office: 11th W.1

I have received an advance of £2.

Address for Pay: 6 Sunderland Terrace, Barnsley, Yorks.

Theatre of War or Command: France

Born in the Year: 1884

Medical Category: A

Place of rejoining in case of emergency: New York

Specialist Military Qualification:

- If for Final Demobilization insert 1, Demobilization insert 2, Transfer to Reserve insert 3.

† As this is the address to which pay and discharge documents will be sent unless further notification is received, any change of address must be reported as soon to the Record Office and the Pay Office as noted above, otherwise delay in settlement will occur.

This Certificate must be produced when applying for an Unemployed Sailor’s and Soldier’s Donation Policy or, if demanded, whenever applying for Unemployment benefit.

Date: 26/12/18

Office of Issue:

Policy issued No: 015440

(3) Transcript 3:

If found, please drop this certificate in a Post Office letter box. Army form Z11

NOTICE - "This document is Government property. It is no security whatever for debt, and any Person being in possession of it, either as a pledge or security for debt, or without lawful authority or excuse, is liable under Section 156 (9) of the Army Act to a fine of twenty pounds (£20) or imprisonment for six months, or to both fine and imprisonment."

PROTECTION CERTIFICATE AND CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY (SOLDIER NOT REMAINING WITH THE COLOURS)

Dispersal Unit Stamp and date of dispersal. 28 Dec 1918 NORTH CAMP RIPON

Surname FAIRHURST

(Block letters) Christian names Harry

Regt number WR/30118 Rank Sapper

Record Office 19 B Tavistock Square

Unit 328 Quarry Regt or Corps R E (TB)

Pay Office W1

I have received an advance of £2 † Address for Pay 6 Sunderland Terrace, Barnsley, Yorks

(Signature of Soldier) Fairhurst, H

Theatre of War or Command France

Born in the Year 1884

Medical category A Transcript 3: continued

Place of rejoining in case of emergency Newark

Specialist Military Qualification –

The above named soldier is granted 28 days furlough from the date stamped hereon after which date uniform will not be worn except upon occasions authorised by Army Orders.

If for Final Demobilization Insert 1

Disembodiment Insert 2

Transfer to Reserve Insert 3

† As this is the address to which pay and discharge documents will be sent unless further notification is received, any change of address must be reported at once to the Record Office and the Pay Office as noted above, otherwise delay in settlement will occur.

This certificate must be produced when applying for an Unemployed Sailor's and Soldier's Donation Policy or, if demanded, whenever applying for Unemployment benefit.

Date 26/12/18 Office of Issue \_\_\_\_\_ Policy issued no. A/2. 015440

23 1 19

(3) Casualty Form—Active Service, part 1 Transcript 4:

Army Form B 103

Casualty Form - Active Service

Regiment or Corps 14th S. Bn. (2 BARNSLEY YORK & LANC REGT)

Regimental number 14/723 Rank Pte Spr Name Fairhurst, H

Enlisted (a) 1/3/15 Terms of Service (a) Duration of War Service reckons from (a) 1/3/15

Date of promotion to present rank

Date of promotion to lance rank

Numerical position on role of N.C.O's

Extended Re-engaged Qualification (b) Quarryman Sup 1/8 | Date | From whom received | Place | Remarks taken from Army Form B. 213, Army Form A. 36, or from other official documents | |------------|--------------------|----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9/12/16 | 94 7.a. | The Field | E.D 7218 | | 9/12/16 | 164 CCS | The Field | E.D 6948 | | 16/12/16 | York | Etaples | H.A 5407 | | 16/12/16 | 349 BD | - do - | B. 213 | | 30/12/16 | O/C Bn | The Field | B. 213 | | 21/4/17 | - " - | Boulogne | B. 213 | | - " - | Tr. Tr. Dep. | Posted to 328 Quarrying Coy| B. 213 | | 4/8/17 | D. A. G. | Transferred to Royal Engineers under A. O. | C.R No. 187425/217/ X30/a |

Emabarked for M.E.F Devonport, Decr. 28. 15

Disembarked Port Said 17/1/16

Embarked Egypt for BEF 10 Mar 1916

9/12/16 94 7.a. Ad. 94 7.a. Trench Feet 4/12/16 E.D 7218

9/12/16 164 CCS Ad. 44 CCS Trench Feet 5/12/16 E.D 6948

York Ad. 7 Can G. H 8/12/16 H.A 5407

16/12/16 349 BD Joined 34 9 BD 13/12/16 B. 213

30/12/16 O/C Bn Rejoined Battalion 29/12/16 B. 213

21/4/17 - " - To Transportation Troops Dep. 17/4/17 B. 213

- " - Tr. Tr. Dep. Posted to 328 Quarrying Coy 17/4/17 B. 213

4/8/17 D. A. G. Transferred to Royal Engineers under A. O. 5/5/17 C.R No. 187425/217/ X30/a

### Casualty Form - Active Service, part 2

| Date | Place | Remarks | |------|-------|---------| | 23.11.18 | | Transferred to Class "E", Army Reserve on Demobilization. | | 23.11.18 | | Date: 23.11.18 | | | | Signature: | | | | Place: | | | | Home Address: |

## Transcript 5:

**WR 30118 Fairhurst H**

| Date | From whom received | Place | Remarks taken from Army Form B. 213, Army Form A. 36, or from other official documents | |------------|--------------------|------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | Embarked for M.E.F Devonport, Decr. 28. 15 | | | | | Disembarked | Port Said 17/1/16 | | | | Embarked Egypt for BEF | 10 Mar 1916 | | 9/12/16 | 94 7.a. | Ad. 94 7.a. Trench Feet | The Field 4/12/16 E.D 7218 | | 9/12/16 | 164 CCS | Ad. 44 CCS Trench Feet | The Field 5/12/16 E.D 6948 | | | York | Ad. 7 Can G. H | Etaples 8/12/16 H.A 5407 | | 16/12/16 | 349 BD | Joined 34 9 BD | - do - 13/12/16 B. 213 | | 30/12/16 | O/C Bn | Rejoined Battalion | The Field 29/12/16 B. 213 | | 21/4/17 | - " - | To Transportation Troops Dep. | Boulogne 17/4/17 B. 213 | | - " - | Tr. Tr. Dep. | Posted to 328 Quarrying Coy | - 17/4/17 B. 213 | | 4/8/17 | D. A. G. | Transferred to Royal Engineers under A. O. 204/1916 and posted to 328 Quarrying Coy. Allotted Regtl No. 307848 | 5/5/17 C.R No. 187425/217/ X30/a | Transcript 5: continued

Glossary

Coy – Company Regt – Regiment Pte – Private O/C or O.C. - Officer in Charge

Suggested follow-up activity

We hope that this session will form a very useful part of your studies on the First World War. To help students evaluate their conversation with Henry as a historical source, students can see video clips of John, the actor who plays Henry’s role. John talks about the research that went into creating the part and which sources and books he used.

Follow the link to the video clips page: nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g3/worksheet/video.htm